Human Reproduction Practice Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from human reproductive biology, including male and female anatomy, gametogenesis, the menstrual cycle, and embryonic development.

Gametogenesis

The process of formation of gametes, specifically sperms in males and ovum in females.

Insemination

The transfer of sperms into the female genital tract.

Fertilisation

The fusion of male and female gametes leading to the formation of a diploid zygote.

Implantation

The attachment of the blastocyst to the uterine wall.

Gestation

The period of embryonic development which lasts about $9$ months in humans.

Parturition

The process of delivery of the baby or childbirth.

Scrotum

A pouch outside the abdominal cavity that helps maintain the temperature of the testes at $2–2.5^{\circ}\text{C}$ lower than the normal internal body temperature, which is necessary for spermatogenesis.

Testicular Lobules

Approximately $250$ compartments within each testis.

Seminiferous Tubules

Highly coiled tubules (one to three per lobule) where sperms are produced.

Spermatogonia

Immature male germ cells that line the inside of seminiferous tubules and multiply by mitotic division to produce sperms.

Sertoli Cells

Cells within the seminiferous tubules that provide nutrition to the germ cells.

Leydig Cells

Interstitial cells located outside the seminiferous tubules that synthesise and secrete testicular hormones called androgens.

Rete Testis

Part of the male sex accessory ducts that connects the seminiferous tubules to the vasa efferentia.

Urethral Meatus

The external opening of the penis at the end of the urethra.

Glans Penis

The enlarged end of the penis covered by a loose fold of skin called the foreskin.

Seminal Plasma

The combined secretions of the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands, which is rich in fructose, calcium, and certain enzymes.

Ovaries

The primary female sex organs that produce the female gamete (ovum) and steroid ovarian hormones.

Oviducts

Also known as fallopian tubes, these are accessory ducts about $10-12\,\text{cm}$ long extending from the periphery of each ovary to the uterus.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the edges of the infundibulum that help in the collection of the ovum after ovulation.

Ampulla

A wider part of the oviduct where fertilisation typically takes place.

Endometrium

The inner glandular layer of the uterus that undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle.

Myometrium

The middle thick layer of smooth muscle in the uterus that exhibits strong contraction during delivery of the baby.

Mammary Alveoli

Clusters of cells within the mammary lobes that secrete milk stored in the lumens.

Spermiogenesis

The process by which spermatids are transformed into spermatozoa (sperms).

Spermiation

The process by which sperm heads are released from the seminiferous tubules after being embedded in Sertoli cells.

Acrosome

A cap-like structure on the anterior portion of the sperm head filled with enzymes that help fertilisation of the ovum.

Oogenesis

The process of formation of a mature female gamete, which is initiated during the embryonic development stage.

Antrum

A fluid-filled cavity characteristic of a tertiary follicle.

Zona Pellucida

A new membrane formed by the secondary oocyte that surrounds it during the Graafian follicle stage.

Ovulation

The process of releasing the secondary oocyte (ovum) from the ovary due to the rupture of the Graafian follicle.

Menarche

The first menstruation that begins at puberty.

Menopause

The term for the cessation of menstrual cycles, occurring around the age of $50$ years.

LH Surge

The rapid secretion of luteinising hormone to its maximum level during the mid-cycle, inducing the rupture of the Graafian follicle.

Corpus Luteum

The structure formed from the remaining parts of the Graafian follicle after ovulation that secretes large amounts of progesterone.

Morula

An embryo with $8$ to $16$ blastomeres.

Blastocyst

A stage of the embryo where cells are arranged into an outer trophoblast and an inner cell mass.

Chorionic Villi

Finger-like projections that appear on the trophoblast after implantation, surrounded by uterine tissue and maternal blood.

Placenta

A structural and functional unit between the developing foetus and maternal body that facilitates oxygen and nutrient supply and waste removal.

Stem Cells

Certain cells within the inner cell mass that have the potency to give rise to all tissues and organs.

Foetal Ejection Reflex

Mild uterine contractions induced by signals from the fully developed foetus and the placenta that trigger the release of oxytocin.

Colostrum

The milk produced during the initial few days of lactation which contains several antibodies essential for the new-born's resistance.